Asia Rivalries Play Role in Aid to the Philippines
David Guttenfelder/Associated Press
A shipment of food unloaded from an American military helicopter in Guiuan, Philippines, on Thursday.
By ANDREW JACOBS
Published: November 14, 2013 99 Comments
CEBU, the Philippines — The American aircraft carrier George Washington has arrived, its 5,000 sailors and 80 aircraft already busy ferrying relief supplies to storm-battered survivors, and the United States has committed an initial $20 million in humanitarian assistance. Japan is dispatching a naval force of 1,000 troops, in what officials say is that country’s largest ever disaster-relief deployment. Also on the way: the Illustrious, a British aircraft carrier stocked with transport planes, medical experts and $32 million worth of aid.
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The outpouring of foreign assistance for the hundreds of thousands left homeless and hungry by Typhoon Haiyan is shaping up to be a monumental show of international largess — and a not-so-subtle dose of one-upmanship directed at the region’s fastest-rising power, China.
China, which has its own newly commissioned aircraft carrier and ambitions of displacing the United States, the dominant naval power in the Pacific, has been notably penurious. Beijing increased its total contribution to the relief effort to $1.6 million on Thursday after its initial pledge of $100,000 was dismissed as stingy, even by some state-backed news media in the country.
The typhoon, described as the most devastating natural calamity to hit the Philippines in recent history, is emerging as a showcase for the soft-power contest in Asia. The geopolitical tensions have been stoked by China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, and heightened by American efforts to reassert its influence in the region.
China has showered aid on countries it considers close friends, becoming the largest lender in Africa, rushing to help Pakistan after an earthquake in September and showing a more humanitarian side to its neighbors in Asia. But the typhoon struck hardest at the country China considers its biggest nemesis in the legal, diplomatic and sometimes military standoff over control of tiny but strategic islands in the South China Sea.
Over the past year, Chinese and Philippine vessels have faced off over a reef called Scarborough Shoal, and the Philippines has angered China by taking the dispute to an international arbitration tribunal. It did not help that the Philippines earlier this year said it would accept a gift of 10 coast guard vessels from Japan and voiced support for Tokyo’s plans to strengthen its military ties in the region, or that it is in discussions with the United States about hosting more American troops there.
The challenge for China comes shortly after the United States appeared to suffer a setback of its own in the contest for Pacific influence. President Obama had to cancel a high-profile visit to the region this fall to grapple with the fiscal shutdown in the United States, an event that seemed to many in Asia to showcase American dysfunction. So when the typhoon struck an old ally, the Pentagon did not waste much time offering a robust show of assistance.
“There is no other military in the world, there is no other navy in the world, that can do what we can do,” one American official said.
Michael Kulma, an expert on East Asia at the Asia Society in New York, said the Chinese reluctance to give more aid could hurt its chances to make a favorable impression in the country.
“There was an opportunity, right up front, for China to make a commitment,” he said. “At the end of the day it could be that the Chinese end up giving more. But on the front end of it, they didn’t stand out.”
At the same time, the relief efforts by the United States could give a lift to its already strong influence in the Philippines.
Despite its longtime alliance with the United States, the Philippines has been tentative over what Washington sees as the country’s role in its so-called Asian pivot, which includes efforts to increase the presence of American troops on Philippine soil.
But the American relief effort — which is receiving a lot of news media attention in the country — might wear away at some of that reluctance, a legacy of the years when the Philippines was an American colony.
Already, some in Tacloban said they would not mind American boots on the ground there temporarily, if it would help.
Asia Rivalries Play Role in Aid to the Philippines
Published: November 14, 2013 99 Comments
(Page 2 of 2)
“If the United States will come in, if it will be allowed to come, or if the United Nations can come in, it will really help us secure the city,” said Jerry Yaokasin, a senior municipal official.
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Ravaged by Typhoon, Philippines Faces Threat of Serious Diseases(November 15, 2013)
Not Even Marcos Family Is Spared Residents’ Ire (November 15, 2013)
The Lede: How to Help Typhoon Victims in the Philippines(November 11, 2013)
Readers’ Comments
Share your thoughts.
China’s rise has been shifting geopolitics in the region for years. With China’s investments in Southeast Asia mounting, even some countries worried about being overwhelmed by their imposing regional neighbor have found it hard to resist the pull of its economy — a dynamic that is very likely to continue.
But China’s increasing power has also in some cases worked against it, including in the Philippines, where the battle over maritime territory, including the Scarborough Shoal, has softened the wariness of Japan and the bitter memories of World War II, when Japan invaded.
In announcing their assistance on Thursday, Japanese officials spoke of it mostly as an effort to provide humanitarian assistance, though there was also an acknowledgment of growing security ties.
“The Philippines is geographically close to Japan and an important strategic partner,” said Japan’s defense minister, Itsunori Onodera.
The donated coast guard vessels are meant to help the Philippines better patrol its waters, including those contested with China. On Thursday, officials said Japan’s military would send C-130 transport aircraft and helicopters to ferry supplies to areas that have been cut off by the disaster. Japan will also send three navy ships, led by the Ise, Japan’s largest warship. Tokyo also offered $10 million in emergency aid.
As more countries came forward with impressive aid packages — and after days of ignoring criticism that it was offering too little aid — China on Thursday said it would increase its assistance. The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, said that China had never intended the amount of assistance to remain fixed, and insisted that it had adjusted its contribution according to growing needs. “An overwhelming majority of Chinese people are sympathetic with the people of the Philippines,” he said.
Analysts, however, said one factor in determining the initial size of the assistance was the hostility among Chinese Internet commentators toward foreign aid, and to help for the Philippines in particular because of territorial disputes.
“There must have been a debate” inside the government about how much aid to give and how to supply it, said Qin Yaqing, professor of international studies at the Foreign Affairs University in Beijing. He continued, “Chinese culture takes an incremental way of doing things so as not to cause more trouble with the domestic” audience.
In an unusual turn, Global Times, a newspaper that often projects a nationalist editorial line, criticized the initial offer of aid as too small. In an editorial on Tuesday, it noted that the Philippines was a two-hour flight from China’s southern coast, but that countries much farther away responded quickly.
“A twisted relationship between the two countries caused by maritime disputes is not the reason to block joint efforts to combat natural disaster,” the editorial said.
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MORE IN ASIA PACIFIC (5 OF 49 ARTICLES)
Ravaged by Typhoon, Philippines Faces Threat of Serious Diseases
- Grant
- Boston
Going by this article, British humanitarian aid to the Philippines is sixty percent greater than that of the U.S. yet the criticism is directed toward China. China’s 1.5 million in assistance will probably go further than the 20 million American aid and be without conditions unlike the Japanese and American aid, both with disturbing histories in the Philippines.- Eugene Gorrin
- Union, NJ
The pace of the aid effort has picked up over the last 24 hours.
The U.S. military is sending approximately 1,000 more troops, along with additional ships and aircraft, to join a massive effort to assist typhoon victims in the Philippines.
The U.S. military -- looking to both help an ally and show its commitment to remaining the leading power in the Pacific amid the rise of China -- has been extremely fast in responding to the disaster.
About a half dozen countries -- including Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore -- have offered military assistance to Manila, and many more have sent supplies. Chinese troops, however, have been prominently absent, in large part because of a territorial dispute between the two countries.- Norman
- California
For most of us, it's easy to separate political and humanitarian issues. For greater Asia, where China is the new strength in the region, it is obviously more difficult. China has immense resources and capabilities, but she hasn't yet learned how to use them beyond helping themselves or close allies. It will take time for China's leaders to realize there is more at stake than territorial differences during a crisis.
Yet to be fair, China's history, which many do not read or understand, plays a role in how she perceives her neighbors and diplomacy. China is very cognizant of her image and sensitive to criticism that she either has too much influence or too little. China's leaders are acutely aware of their past, when foreign powers seized land at a time of decline. This history has partly been the driving force in China's growth and modernization and, at the same time, has been an impediment to stronger relations because of this latent fear of encroachment.
For all that has been said of China's tremendous growth and modernization, her leaders are still reminded of the past. This makes their relationships at times more sensitive and more hesitant to respond when other countries can. This tragic event
in the Philippines will be a learning lesson for China and it will just take some time for their leaders and citizens to realize that a humanitarian crisis transcends political differences or even its history.- Peter
- NJ
So how much US donated to two Iranian Earthquake? 0. So any condemnations from the same western media saying China is being cheap on donations now? 0.
China is also a victim of Haiyan with 6 deaths and 780+ million damages to deal with. No one donated to them or Vietnam. For a fellow victim to send donations to another victim is already hard enough. Being labeled cheap is the fallacy of western media and some people in which politics actually do determine how much government donates. US donates to friendly nations more regardless of actual death and damages. It only donated 5 mil for 2008 Chinese earthquake that caused 80000 death and several billions of damages.
Truly irresponsible for anyone to call any donations cheap in a humanitarian crisis.
- Mani the parakeet
- Little India, Singapore
For those who kept yapping about how the US only gave $20,000 during the 1998 Yantze floods - you should know that the floods began slowly and lasted for three months. It is not an one day catastrophic event like an earthquake, typhoon (hurricane) or tsunami. The PLA (People Liberation Army) had ample time to manage the rising water.
As a matter of pride, the Chinese government, to save face will not accept aid from foreign countries when natural disasters occur. Very often in the past, they would even hide the news from its own people.
For example, after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, they only accept $84 million in aid from 19 countries and four international organisations. They did not openly request for international help.- blinded1
- USA
Like Katrina right? Didn't US has enough time to prepare for the hurricane?
- JG
- New York, NY
The Chinese government manages yet again to make a hash of this soft power opportunity.- tingting13
- SC
The outpouring of generosity to those who are afflicted in the Philippines is very heartwarming! There are so much talk about Tacloban for obvious reasons, but other Islands especially Panay had also flattened landscapes and loss of life. I HOPE that they will not be forgotten. Thank you so much and God Bless!!!- Yes I Am Right
- Los Angeles
Let's not forget - the money we spent on aid to the Philippines is money we had to borrow from China.- JSH
- Louisiana
We have not borrowed anything...we sold them an investment and are using that money to help the Philippines and in 20 years will also pay out on the investment. Macro-economics seems lost on a large number of US financial critics.
- Force6Delta
- NY
"ASIAN Rivalries"? "Money is all encompassing, empowering, controlling, and is all that matters." is the "direction", the "mantra" if you will, the US has been going, and using for many decades (centuries?), and it has just become so blatant that no one with money, and in positions of power, cares anymore who knows it. This is the same thing that has been going on throughout the world, including, as is being made painfully clear, in the Philippines, and other Asian/Asian Pacific countries, where family ties, and concern for others, have always been respected and appreciated hallmarks of their cultures. The PEOPLE, including the people of OUR country, have the power to end these ever-growing, and expanding, tragedies, but they must get involved with the politics of their respective countries to do it. This is easy to do in the so-called "developed" countries, more difficult to do in "less developed" countries, but CAN be done with extra effort - the type of effort I have seen put out before by people who are accustomed to hardship. Due to living lives of hardship, these people are VERY strong people, who simply need to believe they are deserving of better than they are getting - and they are - and for the REAL leaders to step forward, and lead. When that happens, they WILL fight for what is right, and they will get it. Love, kindness, and compassion, are wonderful qualities, but people must show respect for these qualities by not letting them be exploited, nor ignored.- Bill Stones
- Maryland
Well, we need those aircraft carriers just for this! Let's build more aircraft
carriers. I'm wondering what is the cost of running those carriers? But
it got to be larger than the US aid given so far!- Ryan
- Boston, MA
It's unfortunate for any country to allow political tensions to obstruct their ability to help another in need. If this is the case, they need to look beyond petty disputes for the sake of humanity--especially at a time like this--because failing to do so will only harbor more animosity between them.- Mark
- Canada
In the world of twisted values and skewed income distribution in which we live, it is interesting to observe the size of the aid commitments to the Philippines relative to the auction prices of 146 million dollars recently achieved for one painting, and a more"paltry" 105 millions for another painting at another auction. Yes governments aren't private billionaires, but the main point remains - in fact a fortiori.- BL
- CA
Per capital income in China is about 10% of USA. Should it really be equal in aid giving?- JRS
- Queens, NY
Yeah, but this is government giving, not individual giving. Plus, they have more than 4x the population of the US -- it's not like their government is poor.- JSH
- Louisiana
Then they should be happy with 10% of the US world power and influence?
- Prithvi
- NYC
I find it interesting to note that a predominantly Christian nation and US ally like Philippines gets such an eager global outpouring of aid and sympathy yet countries in the Middle East and Africa particularly, take for example- Somali which went through a devastating drought where humanitarian agencies pleaded for money while people starved to death saw no such generosity or compassion.
It would seem some people are more blessed than others in times of need.- Kenarmy
- Columbia, mo
The Philippines were our allies in World War II. Filipinos risked their lives to save downed U.S. pilots. Shared history! A historical debt.- JSH
- Louisiana
We sent Aircraft Carriers and money/supplies to India when they had their tsunami and have sent US men to their deaths as part of humanitarian aid missions in Africa.
- PS
- Massachusetts
Well, the good news is that help shows up. The bad news is that is comes with a price tag. A bit sick to make political strategy out of tragedy, or is that just the way world works?
About strategy, I would have been happy to see China stick to 100,000k. At least the message was clear. These powerful geo-political alliances are terrifying and I for one don't want to witness China's ascension to the throne. So, sick as it is, I am kind of grateful to imagine the messages tacked onto the aid, for now, provided it doesn't cost the Filipino citizens any more burdens at this time.- BigMax
- New Jersey
the US public should know by now, that while the Chinese has money to burn, that's pretty much about what you can expect from it. there is ignorance and poverty behind the glits and glams of the urban lights. they don't know how to stand in line, it's always "me first" and everybody else second - money talks, and only money matters. Charity, and humanity and love and peace on earth is not a concept that the Chinese embrace - at least not yet. So I really wish people would stop idolizing the Chinese just because they can buy luxury goods and have a few ancient buildins and artifacts to show to the world. To be a truly great country, it takes more than having a large military. The US should learn its lesson as well - you can't do all the good things that make America great until you get your act together, govern with long term vision, from the ground up. For things like the government shut down and tech blunders for the health care roll out, it's just too embarrassing.- Peter
- NJ
you do realize China has to deal with 780 million dollars of damages from Haiyan by themselves right?
- Manny
- Toronto
Regardless of the disputes between the Philippines and China, the Chinese have never been known for their magnanimity. Any employee of a Chinese-owned company can attest to that. The disputes have only made the Chinese close their wallets a little bit more.- Prithvi
- NYC
The Chinese don't see giving aid to the Philippines as "charity", they see it as a International PR issue. After criticism of their $100,000 generosity they promptly upped their aid to around $1.5 million. This is a "respectable" sum in their eyes and also puts China in a good light.
These days charity is seldom about generosity and often is a Public relations exercise to capture the moral high ground and earn international "holier than thou" brownie points that global powers can use to brow-beat others.
The real "charity" is conducted by UN agencies and private NGOs.
- Jackie Tan
- Los Angeles
The content of the article is rather feeble to begin with, but the title is really misleading. What are the "rivalries"? Is there any besides China? Given that the article mainly talks about how paltry China's aid is compared to any other country, it also contradicts the title. Clearly, this title is supposed to grab the readers' attention--at the costs of the simple fact that it is a wrong one.- CR
- SI, NY
Something that seems to have been lost in the thorny thicket that is the modern day internet comment section is the fact that the initial amount pledged by China wasn’t criticized solely by those in the U.S. media, but also by those in the Chinese media as well, which leads one to believe that the figure was embarrassingly low even taking into account geo-political motives.
Also lost in the conversation is this interesting tidbit, which, aside from the devastation described in the article, is the most eye opening thing IMHO. The article states that one of the factors China apparently took under advisement in coming up with their initial figure “was the hostility among Chinese Internet commentators toward foreign aid..."
As a person who is continually horrified and/or disgusted by what passes as discourse on internet comment boards both in the U.S. and abroad, it is truly flabbergasting that this would even be suggested as a serious consideration in forming foreign policy by what is supposed to be the world’s next superpower.
Realpolitik is, as it always has been, and always will be, very much alive. And so we shouldn’t be so naïve to think that politics doesn’t play a real factor in any decision any country makes, but the truth of the matter is that these people need help, and they need it now. If the U.S. military and its allies are in the best position to provide that relief then so be it, and they should not feel the need to justify their motives.- Peter
- NJ
U.S. military and its allies are in the best position. They just let their own media justify their motives and put down their rivals (China). I haven't seen most of them put down US in 0 Iranian earthquake donations
- tony
- NJ
Politically tainted humanitarian aid by Japan and US to buy influence. There is ulterior motive here to use Philippines to counter China. People should also ask how much Taiwan, Hong Kong give. Use this to gauge why China give so little initially. Yes, it is because their politicians need to appease their domestic audience first before giving more. There is a great deal of anger at the Philippines lack of sincerity in resolving disputes with them. If China is to give more, it should be given via the Red Cross, not through the corrupt Philippine government. Cannot be trusted!- SCB
- Virginia USA
"There is a great deal of anger at the Philippines lack of sincerity in resolving disputes with them."
By this I have to assume you're angry at the Philippines for not caving to China's legally unsupportable territorial claims and kowtowing to Emperor Xi.
The Philippines has submitted its disputes with China to binding arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China, however, refuses arbitrate because it knows its claims are illegal. Instead it just keeps sending more warships and soldiers into the region.
I think it's clear who's insincere about resolving these claims legally.- L.A.
- NY
"Philippine's lack of sincerity in resolving disputes" ??? Based on what? Clearly you are clueless about this issue.
- Navy retired
- Bethesda, Maryland
My heart goes out to the people of the Phillipines. There should be no quibbling by any nation in providing assistance to those impacted by such disasters. Especially proud of the U.S. Navy, a global force for good.- bruce
- nara, japan
A GLOBAL force for good? a bit of a stretch......
- R Velasquez
- NYC
Filipinos have long memories and fully remember their experiences with US administration of the country as a US colony and the US liberation of the islands from the Japanese in World War 2. Yes, the relationship is not perfect and has had its ups and downs but I strongly believe that a great majority of Filipinos still view their country as a loyal ally of the United States because of the countless times that the US have come to their assistance in times of need.
This disaster will also lengthen the country's list of true friends because of the many other countries, companies, organizations and individuals who have reached out to help.- Donald2
- US
Chinese aid to the Philippines is undoubtly small, but still appropriate, for these reasons:
1. Problems in South China Sea will not dimish even if China donate a few billion dollars to the Philippines. Behind the conflict, it's US geopolitical fight. Higher Chinese aid only increase the bidding war and conflict between US and China. It's not about the Philippines.
2. If 8 month after a big donation, the Philippines stir up some more trouble with China, or kill a few more Taiwanese fishermen, which happened often, what do you expect the Chinese internet bloggers' reaction will be?
3. Practically, any private donation has to be done through trusted party to make sure the resource go to the victims directly, not to be pocketed by government officials.- JSH
- Louisiana
Its China who stir up problems. Their claims in the south china sea would be akin to the US claiming all of the Caribbean. China has disputes with ALL of its neighbors....that's not a coincidence its due to Chinese policy.- Peter
- NJ
JSH, you are too ignorant. China has settled most of its disputes if you just search online.
- Min
- Hong Kong
@Amy
1998 is not 2008
The following is from China Daily 1998/8/31
"The government of the United States has donated 207,000 yuan and a great number of tents, mattress, woolen blankets and kettles from the government of the United States.
The government of Japan has donated 5.81 million yuan and a large supply of tents, generators, and water-purifying equipment.
The ministry also received 415,000 yuan in donations from the government of the Repubic of Korea. "- Chris Dudley
- Maryland
Even the US contribution should be expended through reparations tariffs on goods imported from China along with our other climate damage related federal costs such as higher flood and crop insurance payouts. While we are cutting greenhouse gas emissions, China in increasing them. They should be left holding the liability bag for the costs of dangerous climate change even if we are the ones with the organizational capability to respond to these emergencies. It is their emissions, the largest in the world, which are pushing us farther over the threshold of dangerous climate change.- David S.
- Illinois
The US should not only be helping the Philippines generously in this time of crisis. It should be taking this effort as an opportunity to to pivot and make this country of 100,000,000 our best friend in Asia along with Japan.
Our occupation and support of the Marcos regime notwithstanding, the people of this country have a natural love and affinity for Americans. They by and large speak English and often mimic American culture. The two favorite sports are basketball and boxing. They sometimes do not trust our government, and rightly so given the past. In spite of its difficulties and its tragedies from more natural disasters than I can count on top of politics that seem to have originated in Chicago, never have I encountered a friendlier and harder working group of people.
With good diplomacy and smart aid that helps build infrastructure and technology to improve a burgeoning middle class (something that was almost non-existent even a decade ago), ad by encouraging private investment in the Philippines, the United States can not only gain an invaluable friend and ally, it can help boost a Third World nation into a higher position in the world in short order.
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99 Comments